SRH vs RCB, IPL 2026: Bengaluru lose by 55 runs, still end on top of table

That is it. The match has ended with RCB scoring 200. They lose by 55 runs. But they still at the top of the points table, giving them an additional chance to make it top 2. SRH also end on 18 points, but are on third here.

The fate of this match is already sealed. Head comes into the attack and he manages to get rid of Patidar for 56 from 39. It has been that kind of match, one doesn't know, which team played well.

Patidar has taken RCB to top 2 here. Still going slow, but then one hurdle has been crossed. Excellent by them overall, but somehow not in this match.

Has the pitch become difficult for batting? It is baffling how Krunal and Rajat are batting at the moment. They are not going for the target, but only the top 2 fininsh.

Even though HYD bowlers haven't done much wrong, but the ask to finish in top 2 is quite steep. But they look on course to win. A wicket or two will make all the difference.

Shivang hasn't recovered from the first over exploitation by Venkatesh Iyer. They neeed wickets, which are just not coming. A four to end the over.

Even though SRH are still ahead as far as the chase is concerned, but the bigger number for them is 165. If they can stop RCB before that, they can finish in top 2. Good over by Cummins comes to an end.

Malinga comes back into the attack. It is a pacy delivery and Padikkal cannot check his shot. He is caught out at deep backward point. 100 up after 10 overs.

Hussain has stopped the run flow. His 2 overs have gone for just 10 runs and that includes Kohli's wicket. The required run rate is nearly 14 now.

Kohli finds the man at cover. Sakib Hussain had packed the off-field, inviting Kohli to go aerial. He timed the ball beautifully, but because it was off-pace delivery, the ball went flat to Smaran Ravichandran.

RCB's strong start has been nullified to some extent. But, considering they need to get just 166 to finish in the top two, it's enough.

It looks like Iyer was anticipating a slower one from Eshan Malinga, but that is not to be. He plays the shot late, mistimes it, and is caught out. still an expensive over from Malinga.

Shivang Kumar has come now, and Venky Iyer targets him. Both times slog sweep is what the batter hits, to get a four and a six. And he gets another six. This is just the kind of start that RCB asked for. And a third one over long on.

Kohli has shown his intent at the very start, and hits Cummins for two boundaries at the very start of the over. It is taking a lifetime to get a decision on a wide.

SRH, if they have to fininsh in top 2 -- they will have to restrict RCB under 165. Otherwise it will be RCB and GT, who finish in top 2. Malinga, meanwhile dealing in a lot of slower deliveries.

The chase starts now and it will be Cummins who will start the prodeedings for SRH. Somehow against Kohli, he hasn't been the most effective. Iyer on the other end, finishes with a four and a six.

SRH need to win by 90 or more runs to finish at the top of the points table.

RCB need to score 166 runs and they'll play the Qualifier 1 against GT on May 26 in Dharamshala.

SRH scored 66 off the last 5 overs as Kishan departed for 79 on the last ball of the over. Considering they had 8 wickets in hand, they have probably underscored. But it should be more than enough.

Most runs in an IPL season by middle order batters

• 606 - Heinrich Klaasen (14 innings in 2026)*
• 579 - Rishabh Pant (11 innings in 2018)
• 573 - Riyan Parag (14 innings in 2024)
• 538 - Rohit Sharma (19 innings in 2013)
• 513 - Glenn Maxwell (13 innings in 2014)

Nitish Reddy comes out to bat and smashes 2 sixes off his first 2 balls. Krunal tries the bouncer and arm ball but nothing works. He takes a wicket but goes for 16 runs.

It was a risky move to give the ball to Krunal for the 17th over and guess what? He dismisses Klaasen. Krunal bowls his crouched arm ball and Klaasen has to fetch the ball from outside off to the leg side. He doesn't time it well and Venky takes a catch at deep mid-wicket.

Turns up again in tough times 👊

Krunal Pandya dismisses Heinrich Klaasen to break the partnership 👏

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/ZcxjefgalG#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #SRHvRCB | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/UPN7SBOC6U

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 22, 2026

Another anchor knock for Kishan. He hasn't been fluent but is doing the job. With Klaasen and him both well set, SRH will look to get to 240-250 with 8 wickets in hand.

Klaasen was 5 off 9. He needed to move on and has done so against Hazlewood. The quick was all over the shop. Full toss, slot balls and 2 wides. 27 runs off the 13th over as Klaasen smashes 3 sixes and 1 four. Now that Klaasen's set, RCB are in big trouble.

A six-hitting Master-KLAAS on show 🍿

🎥 Heinrich Klaasen going big against Josh Hazlewood 💥💥

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/ZcxjefgalG#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #SRHvRCB | @SunRisers pic.twitter.com/DGYE4ND2WN

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 22, 2026

Hazlewood was to bowl the 12th over but wasn't allowed since he had been off the field. So, Romario comes on. Patidar wasn't happy but has no other option. Luckily for RCB, Shepherd went for 5 runs, the most economical over of the innings.

Now that Abhishek's gone and Heinrich Klaasen is fresh in the middle, Ishan Kishan is taking the onus. They need to score above par and put pressure on RCB to make a bid for the top spot.

Intent, timing and pure power from Ishan Kishan! 💥

SRH look set for a mammoth total 🧡

Lijiye Bhojpuri commentary ka mazaa, sirf JioHotstar par 🎙️#TATAIPL Race to Playoffs 2026 👉 #SRHvRCB | LIVE NOW ➡️https://t.co/52qPTW2gSO pic.twitter.com/NXJ1PpBNcX

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 22, 2026

Abhishek almost made most of the chances. He smashes a 20-ball fifty but departs soon after as Cox holds on at long-off. Suyash Sharma dupes him with a slowish googly, in the 80s. Abhishek departs for 56 runs off 22.

What is happening here? Now, Devdutt Padikkal drops a catch. It's another tough one. Romario Shepherd comes on to bowl and could've taken the wicket on the first ball. A straight hit down the ground by Abhishek and Padikkal, who's stationed at long-on, lets the ball go through his hands. Again, not the easiest of catches but you expect at least one of these to be grabbed.

Abhishek has been dropped again on 32. This one's a bit tough. Jordan Cox takes a running catch at wide long-off but it is too close to the boundary line. He tries to throw the line in the air and return to take a catch but his foot touches the boundary rope before he lets go of the ball. Another life for Abhishek.

MAXIMUMS x 2️⃣

🎥 Abhishek Sharma was in his element 👊🧡

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/ZcxjefgalG#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #SRHvRCB | @SunRisers pic.twitter.com/exdErsz4bp

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 22, 2026

A tight 5th over from Hazlewood brought the run rate down a bit. Then, Rasikh returned for the last over of the powerplay. He almost had Abhishek, on 25, with a bouncer but Venkatesh Iyer dropped the catch at deep square leg. This could be a very costly mistake for RCB. It wasn't that tough a grab either.

Patidar had packed the off-side, encouraging Head to go over the infield and he did so twice. On the last ball of the 4th over, he backed away to do it again but Rasikh bowled a yorker and Head wasn't ready for it. RCB have a breakthrough. Some good planning.

Ra-seeking revenge after three fours 🔥

The perfect yorker to dismiss Travis Head 👊

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/ZcxjefgalG#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #SRHvRCB | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/ll12rHLVyx

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 22, 2026

Head and Abhishek have had no issues facing Hazlewood or Bhuvi. There's no help for them at all. Patidar has already brought Rasikh Salam on, realising they need to try something else. SRH are flying here.

#AbhishekSharma smashes a huge six 🚀

Perfect start for #SRH’s Top 2 push 🧡#TATAIPL Race to Playoffs 2026 👉 #SRHvRCB | LIVE NOW ➡️https://t.co/52qPTW2gSO pic.twitter.com/ZpVHpLtXTJ

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 22, 2026

Bhuvneshwar Kumar started waywardly, wide and width outside off, and Travis Head pounced on the opportunity. Abhishek Sharma joined the party as Bhuvi got no swing. 13 off the first over.

Phil Salt has joined RCB but isn't playing. Perhaps he isn't match-fit just yet. But it's a good sign that he's part of the squad. Reports had stated that he'll play in the playoffs. 

🎶 𝘎𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰’𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬, 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘺’𝘴 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬, 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 a̶ ̶f̶r̶i̶e̶n̶d̶ 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦! 🎶

Good to have you back, Salty. ❤️🫂

Excited, 12th Man Army? 🤩 pic.twitter.com/nitZWai11G

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 22, 2026

RCB won't field more than 3 foreign players, just 2 in the starting XI, which does suggest how strong their Indian core is and how much they trust them.

Jacob Bethell, Phil Salt's replacement, has injured his finger as well. RCB have promoted Venkatesh Iyer to open, with Rajat Patidar coming into the team for him.

Pat Cummins has won the toss and opted to bat first. SRH have won 4 matches while deciding to bowl second and they are going for the same again.

'No changes,' says Cummins while signing off.

Despite getting the advantage of playing an extra batter, RCB captain Rajat Patidar doesn't like the impact sub rule. He, like Virat Kohli, Axar Patel and Rohit Sharma, hopes the rule will be removed in the future.

Former SRH player, Vijay Shankar, has retired from all forms of cricket.

• If they bat first: SRH must need at least 12.1 overs to finish chase
• If they bat second: Lose by 76 runs or less

SRH seems to have found the right balance, it's tough to see them changing their side again. 

Hyderabad's a high-scoring venue. The average first innings total since 2023 is 192. Unlike other venues, chasing doesn't guarantee a win here. In the ongoing season, SRH has won matches batting first when posting scores like 216, 194, 242, and 235. Batting first and putting runs on the board might be the way to go.

• Won (SRH) - 14
• Won (RCB) - 12
• In Hyderabad - 6-3 for SRH

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the 67th match of the IPL 2026 season between the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.